Oscars 2014: With Seth MacFarlane out, who should host? [poll]

Take a look back at the performances of some memorable Oscar MCs.

Mark Olsen

If not Seth, who?

With Seth MacFarlane's tweeted announcement that he would not be returning as host of the Academy Awards after his controversial but highly rated turn earlier this year, the question becomes "Who next?" Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will have quite a challenge. The motion picture academy continues to strive for a certain respectful solemnity with a fizzy nod to old-school Hollywood glamour while also needing to attract younger viewers, grooming the next generation of Oscar watchers.

When the academy found itself in a pinch after the fallout of its Brett Ratner situation in late 2011, it turned to the tried and true with Billy Crystal. Yet hanging over that entire show was the shadow of Ratner's planned host, Eddie Murphy. Would he have hit the stage in the red leather suit from his "Delirious" concert film? Perhaps we could still find out.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler received universal acclaim for their job hosting the most recent Golden Globes, with many calls for them to take the reins of the Oscar show. Though Fey has already been reported as saying there is "no way" she would host the show, this is Hollywood. There is a way.

Young multi-hyphenate star Joseph Gordon-Levitt seems a natural fit, as his spirited dance number during last year's broadcast could now even be seen as an audition for the job. A younger star might typically be paired with someone else to ease the burden -- shades of the star-crossed James Franco-Anne Hathaway pairing -- so who could match Gordon-Levitt for his energy level and song-and-dance-man skills?

How about Justin Timberlake, the musician who has strongly courted Hollywood? Or even Channing Tatum, who is both an acknowledged friend of Gordon-Levitt and who also gave an unexpectedly classy turn dancing with Charlize Theron at this year's ceremony. Perhaps throw Emma Stone into the mix as well?

And what about giving Franco another try? Could it be any worse? As Zach Galifianakis recently put it in an interview with Franco as part of his "Between Two Ferns" Web show, "I wouldn't consider what you did at the Oscars hosting the Oscars."